Car-sharing – especially to and from work – is not exactly popular in Malta but it is growing rapidly in popularity across all of Europe thanks to its cost-saving and environmental benefits. Simply hopping into a car with a friend, colleague or even someone who just shares the same route or job as you will not only save you loads of money but will also drastically help in reducing the number of cars on our roads, especially at peak times.

In a number of car-sharing situations, one or more drivers have decided to sell their cars completely and only car-share since the main reason they owned a car was for the commute to and from work. By doing this, some car-sharers reckon they save themselves lots of money on fuel alone, never mind road tax, insurance and maintenance.

If car-sharing is such a great idea, why are more drivers not taking it up? Well, one reason often cited is there’s no one else heading in the same direction for an individual’s commute. This can be true if you have a particularly unusual commuter route, but most people can find someone else who covers a similar drive in most urban areas.

Getting started

Asking around family, friends and workmates is a good place to start. Finding someone who commutes on the same sort of route as you is crucial. It might mean walking a little or even cycling a short distance at the start or finish of the commute, but it could still save you money and hassle.

Meet new people

An unlikely benefit of car-sharing is that you get to meet new people and make friends. If you spend time in the car with the same person on the way to and from work, chances are you’ll form some kind of friendship or relationship. Needless to say, if such person is particularly irritating first thing in the morning or after a hard day’s work, you’ll need to rethink. Either way, you’ve learnt something and there will always be another car-share option if you don’t click with the person you’re sharing with.

A potential concern about car-sharing could be safety, though if you arrange it through people that you are familiar with, there’s less to worry about as you will know the person you’re dealing with.

And whoever you decide to share with, make sure to get his or her phone number and e-mail, as you will definitely need it should that person be late in the morning or happens to end up working overtime.